William Fry Perpetual Trophy & Medal – LCFA U17 Best & Fairest Award

William Fry started playing football at the age of 8 for Millicent United U12’s in a team that struggled to be really competitive and conceded goals regularly, Will saw what was happening and and wanted to help his team as much as he could. After a while he spoke to his coach Mal Sneddon about trying out to be goalkeeper, and despite his lack of height, he was given a chance. He spent those sessions shooting drills flying around, desperate to save every shot and loved every minute of it. He spent several years in this position developing his passion for the sport and his skills as a goalkeeper.

Will was not satisfied attending his Club training sessions and pleaded with his parents to get him more sessions so he could become a better player and help his team further. Will started attending specialist training sessions with Melbourne City and really started to prove himself capable in the role. He won the LCFA Best & Fairest in 2016, the only goalkeeper to have achieved this feat in living memory.

Will tried out for the LCFA Select Squad in 2017 for the State Championships, and although he was not selected, he trialled again for the Country Championships squad and made the team and instantly became an key member of the team and helped improved the teams results.

Two seasons later, following many sessions in Melbourne and here at home, Will had his best season. As goalkeeper for the LCFA Select Squad he played an important role in the team winning both the State and Country Championships. As a 14 year old he was requested to help the Apollo U17 team who had suddenly found themselves with no goalkeeper. Will played a starring role in the Grand Final of that season where he was able to keep a clean sheet in a 1-nil victory. He was awarded the Peter Thomas Memorial Trophy as the Club’s Junior Player of the Year.

In 2021, through his efforts as a sportsman, his qualities as a person and his attitude towards the environment and community, Will was awarded a full scholarship at the Pembroke School in Adelaide to pursue his academic and sporting career. An amazing accolade that further proved the quality individual Will had become.

Will had joined Adelaide club Eastern United and had become an important part of their squad and was on his way to creating the professional football career that he was striving for. Even within a short period of time, Will had made a major impact on Eastern United that they held their own tribute in Will’s honour and named the Club’s U18 Player of the Year award in his name.

In the face of adversity, William Fry always stood firm and made it his goal to surpass all challenges that stood in his way, for his benefit, but equally for those around him. Will always did this with great kindness, dignity and a smile.

Achievements:

Surf Lifesaving SA – Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue, December 2020.

Limestone Coast Regional Sporting Academy – Scholarship 2019 & 2020

Australian Defence Force – Long Tan Youth Leadership & Teamwork Award 2020

Kangaroo Inn Area School, Millicent Rotary Award for Service to School & Community 2020

Beachport Surf Lifesaving – Most Consistent 2020

Wattle Range Council – Youth Award “Contribution to the Community” for Surf Lifesaving 2019

Kangaroo Inn Area School – Mayoral Award 2018

Apollo Soccer Club – U14 Best & Fairest 2018

Apollo Soccer Club – Peter Thomas Memorial Award, Junior Player of the Year 2017

Limestone Coast Football Association – U12 Best & Fairest 2016

Millicent United Soccer Club – U12 Best & Fairest Players’ Player 2016

Millicent United Soccer Club – U12 Best & Fairest Players’ Player 2015